Los Angeles Events: Your Weekend To-Do List

Take a break from holiday shopping (or a mental break from all the holiday spirit) at one of this weekend's foodie events. Stop by Tender Greens in Santa Monica for an old-fashioned bake sale, down pie and beers at the Eagle Rock Brewery, or pony up for the pricey (and delicious) celebration of 200 Years Of Mexico's Cuisine at St. Vibiana's Cathedral.

Close



Weekend To Do List

of





Don't expect Margaret Cho to soften up her act anytime soon. As one of America's raunchiest comics, she's in the middle of prime-time stripper moves to punch up the ABC ho-hum. The comedian/singer/songwriter rolls into LA to promote the release of her new album, a surprisingly affecting moment that has her collaborating with the likes of Tegan & Sara, Fiona Apple, Jon Brion, Ben Lee, Andrew Bird, and Ani DiFranco. - Julian Hooper at Flavorpill
Margaret Cho: Cho Dependent
When: Friday, December 3 (7pm)
Where: The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010
Cost: $45 - $55
Photo by Getty

The annals of power pop are filled with cult heroes and should've-beens. Collector favorites like the Jags and the Records come to mind, their miniscule sales inversely proportional to the hugeness of their hooks. After years of crafting great pop records to little fanfare, Brendan Benson seemed destined to the same fate as his predecessors — that is until he teamed up with some Detroit analog extremist called Jack White, and the Raconteurs afforded Benson much wider exposure. A dark horse no more, Benson has rarely sounded better, with ramshackle bubblegum and nervy melodies coated with just the right amount of pop sheen. - Stephen Gossett at Flavorpill
Goldenvoice presents The Posies and Brendan Benson
When: Friday, December 3 (8pm)
Where: Club Nokia, 800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015
Cost: $22.50-$25
Photo via Brendan Benson

Aloe Blacc knows how to make a dance party. The MC blends hip-hop with soul and R&B, with a decidedly island/Latin bent — and a sophisticated political engagement not that far below the surface. Do not miss this absolutely home-grown LA emcee in his only area show until the middle of next year — he's heading out on a big European tour any day now, in support of his acclaimed and long-awaited new release, the aptly titled Good Things. - Shana Nys Dambrot at Flavorpill
KCRW and the Do-Over present Aloe Blacc w/ the Grand Scheme
When: Friday, December 3 (9pm)
Where: The Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Cost: $12 / $10 advance
Photo via Aloe Blacc

Via LA Times: All proceeds from Eat My Blog's 3rd annual bake sale will benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, so get your nosh on for a good cause. Check out the full menu to get a taste of what's in store. LA Times notes the new additions to this year's event: "There will be catnip cookies and dog biscuits for sale, as well as donations from local chefs, businesses, restaurants and food trucks, including the Manila Machine, Daily Dose, All Jarred Up, Isabella's Cookies, Sprinkles, Debbie Lee, Starry Kitchen, Bakelab, Hollywood Corner and Tender Greens."
Eat My Blog Bakesale
When: Saturday, December 4 (10am-4pm)
Where: Tender Greens, 8759 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Cost: Prices vary, mostly from $1-$4 per item.

Unlimited tastings of regional Mexican cuisine from Los Angeles' best Mexican restaurants (Frida Mexican Cuisine, Guelaguetza, La Casita Mexicana, La Monarca Bakery) as well as tequila and mezcal are a delicious way to celebrate 200 years of Mexican cuisine. The Taste of Mexico Association's mission is "to embody, enhance and promote the authenticity of Mexico's cuisine" nationwide--a worthy goal.
200 Years Of Mexico's Cuisine
When: Saturday, December 4 (5-10pm)
Where: Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, 214 S. Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cost: $75 presale, $100 day of event.

Indie-rock group Passion Pit plays in Pomona this Saturday, but you don't have to wait long for a performance closer to Los Angeles; the band also plays at the Hollywood Palladium on Tuesday, December 7. Christina Richards at Flavorpill has the background on the origin of the band's name: "Michael Angelakos learned in his American Fashion class at Emerson College, Boston, that "passion pit" was '40s slang for the back row of a drive-in movie theater. He loved his teacher Mary Harkins' anecdote so much that he used the name for his band. Passion Pit first blasted into fame with the song "Sleepyhead" which you might have heard in the Palm Pixi commercial."
Passion Pit At The Fox Theatre
When: Saturday, December 4 (8pm)
Where: The Fox Theatre, 301 S. Garey Ave. Pomona, CA 91766
Cost: Tickets are $29.50 in advance, $32 day of show
Passion Pit At The Hollywood Palladium
When: Tuesday, December 7 (8pm)
Where: Hollywood Palladium, 6215 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Cost: a href="http://www.livenation.com/event/0900452FAE5C6BE6?artistid=1270455&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1" target="_hplink">$30
Photo by Getty

Local artist, author, and fashion designer, Louis Cannizzaro (whose iconic paintings have been worn by Jack Nicholson and hung in Madonna's office) teams up with fellow art phenom Gregory Siff for a Saturday-afternoon store opening and "paint-off" at the new Portfolio 360 Gallery. Two large doors are suspended from the ceiling, as the duo splashes out works of art to create an entrance. An entrance, indeed; stick around for a rare meet-and-sale afterwards featuring Cannizzaro and Siff originals. - Julian Hooper at Flavorpill
Door 2 Door Adore
When: Saturday, December 4 (3pm)
Where: Portfolio 360 Gallery, 7665 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Cost: Free. RSVP here.
Photo by Powder French

There's no sweeter combination than love, music, and art. In support of local nonprofit organizations the Chinatown Youth Service Center and Homeboy Industries, LMA FEST's holiday launch party guarantees a fun, guilt-free time, with 25 bands as well as DJs, interactive art, food trucks, beer gardens, and over 200 vendors. Hop on the subway, bring a toy to donate, and celebrate the season to be jolly at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, where there's even shipped-in snow to cap off the holiday spirit. Fa-la-la-la-love. - Pamela Chelin at Flavorpill
Love, Music & Art Festival
When: Saturday, December 4 - Sunday, December 5 (10am-6pm)
Where: Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cost: $20